Most people say they love sex and it frequently occupies their thoughts. They often want more, and are unhappy or anxious when they have to do without for extended periods of time. If the subject were drugs, alcohol or gambling we would be concerned about their "obsession," but sex is a natural, healthy biological process - so we celebrate their sexuality.

But what about when a line is crossed, when your interest in sex starts to get in the way of normal daily functioning? How about when you realize you've spent the last four hours looking at pornography online, or video chatting with others in an attempt to have a sexual experience? How about when you realize you don't have money for the rent or you've maxed out your credit cards due to the prostitutes or hotel rooms you've paid for? Or when you've missed another class or business meeting due to more trading of email and pictures with an anonymous sexual acquaintance? How about when you've lost a job due to violating Internet policies or from coming in late due to staying out all night seeking sexual experiences? Or when the most important person in your life leaves you because you've broken too many promises to change your behavior?

Whether or not this behavior meets the criteria for an "addiction" an "obsession," or even dangerous or illegal - it certainly is behavior that is damaging your life and you should seek help to understand how you got here, and more importantly, what steps you need to take to stop, or reduce these habits. You've probably tried numerous times to make changes, but continue to fail and fall back into the same old patterns.

Not sure your sexual activity is affecting your life in a negative way? Here are some areas to consider. Be very honest with yourself here...it's your future and happiness at stake:

Work: lost jobs, embarrassment by co-workers; lost promotions; fewer awards; general distraction and lost productivity. Is it having any impact on your being where you want to be – career wise?

Relationships: spouse has left you; less or no contact with your children; have less time to maintain relationships that used to be important to you; strained communications; disappointed parents; you've begun isolating yourself.

Time: excessive hours on-line; driving and looking for activity; waiting, waiting, waiting for that connection or that view through a window; less time to spend with your spouse and children; ultimately, lost years of your life.

Other: lost reputation; anger at yourself and others; feeling helpless and hopeless; overall loss of self-worth that affects all areas of your life.

In general, do you feel great shame and guilt when you've once again gone over the line, after promising yourself that you would reduce or stop your unhealthy sexual activities? Too many hours, too much money, lying to your significant other, unsatisfying results…

Changing this behavior requires an admission that there is a problem, the realization that your many attempts to fix it by yourself have failed, and a willingness to ask for help, and to take some direction from someone with knowledge of and experience in this complex and many layered condition. In my practice, I usually find it most effective to start at the cognitive-behavioral level and begin by taking a full assessment and understanding what the main areas of concern are. Just as a person with an eating disorder can't abstain from consuming food, I don't expect anyone to abstain from all sexual activity, although this may be necessary on some level in the initial phase of restructuring your thought processes, behaviors, and learning new ways to express yourself sexually - or when the activity is doing immediate harm to your relationships, or physical or financial self.

It is important, when appropriate, to include the partner's involvement during this phase, but we usually move towards focusing on the impaired member, and often bring the partner back into therapy later in the process. Of course, work individually with the non-offending partner can also be crucial to help them understand, process and heal the their anger, grief, anxiety and/or depression. Once the individual or couple has moved through the initial crisis, I start to explore the underlying causes of this self-destructive behavior - research has demonstrated that this sexual acting out is actually a symptom of much deeper dynamics, whether it be a way to deal with overwhelming stress, childhood trauma, or unreasonable expectations that we, or others, place on ourselves.

As with other addictions, sexual addiction knows no socio-economic-racial-cultural boundaries. I see rich and poor, young and old, gay and straight, married and single clients with these issues. Don't be concerned if you feel your particular sexual interest is "different" from others, or that your therapist won't understand. I, and other professionals who are licensed psychotherapists and have the additional designation of being Board Certified Sex Therapists, have extensive and unique training in all varieties of sexual issues and dysfunctions. In fact, most people benefit from knowing that they are not alone- that there are thousands of people involved in the same activities as themselves. Your confidentiality is legally assured with any licensed psychotherapist under the guidelines of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. It can be a very freeing and unique experience to discuss your problems honestly and openly in a non-judgmental and understanding therapeutic environment. There is hope, you can change, you just have to decide that you're tired of living in an unhealthy, unsatisfying way and make the decision to commit to change. Make no mistake – asking for help and being open to doing the necessary work will help you regain the life you desire, the life that you deserve.

For the Partner of the Sex Addict:

You'll get nowhere blaming yourself, trying to change for your partner, or trying to fix this yourself. You aren't trained in the area, and probably don't yet understand the complexity and many dimensions involved.

You aren't crazy, all of your feelings are valid, and don't let your partner tell you that you are the problem. At this point, you should not trust your partner's words, but hopefully you will eventually be able to trust their actions, as you gradually see positive changes in them – at least those whoadmit to their problem and are seeking and participating in treatment.

Your first step should be to start educating yourself, learn more about addiction and what processes are at work creating this problem. You also need support from others who understand this kind of addiction and maybe have even been through what you're going through. This can be from a therapist trained in treating sex addiction, friends who are non-judgmental and care most about you, a trusted clergy member, andsupport groups designed to help you understand and survive this. Get professional help - no matter what your partners says - this will not change, will not fix itself, without going through a process of treatment and recovery…for both of you.

As they say in Al-Anon & COSA meetings: you didn't CAUSE, you can't CONTROL it, and you can't CURE it. Come talk to someone who can assist you understand this devastating problem, and help you to help yourself and your spouse.

Michael Smith, MFT, CST is a Certified Sex Therapist, Addiction Specialist and Licensed Psychotherapist in Orange County California. He works with individuals and couples to understand and overcome sex addiction, porn addiction and infidelity, and has unique and highly effective techniques to help people repair their lives and relationships. Learn more about his practice and ideas at: http://www.orangecountysextherapy-addictions.com

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Are you engaging in sexual behavior that has gotten out-of-control? Or are you being told that you do? As a Certified Sex Therapist in Orange County, California, I get a lot of calls from people who wonder if they, or their partners, have crossed the line and have become "addicted." Whether the concern is porn addiction, sex addiction or compulsive infidelity, you can find the way back to a healthy, exciting sex life with your partner, and you partner can recover also!

Michael Smith, MFT, CST is a Certified Sex Therapist, Addiction Specialist and Licensed Psychotherapist in Orange County California. He works with individuals and couples to understand and overcome sex addiction, porn addiction and infidelity, and has unique and highly effective techniques to help people repair their lives and relationships. Learn more about his practice and ideas at: http://www.orangecountysextherapy-addictions.com